FIRST ON FOX: California motorists are set to pay even more at the pump starting Wednesday as another gas tax increase takes effect, prompting some of the state's Republican lawmakers to warn that added costs will further squeeze residents already shouldering some of the highest fuel prices in the nation.California’s GOP congressional delegation, led by Rep.David Valadao, R-Calif., is urging Gov.
Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., to suspend the planned 2.2-cent-per-gallon hike, which would raise the state's excise gas tax to 63.4 cents per gallon.The lawmakers say that figure doesn't include the state's sales tax and other local fees, bringing the total surcharge burden to about $1.15 per gallon at California pumps."According to AAA, the average price of gasoline in California is currently $5.58 per gallon—the highest in the nation and $1.65 above the national average," the lawmakers wrote Friday in a letter sent to Newsom."Instead of further unaffordable increases to California’s gasoline excise tax, we urge you to prioritize commonsense energy policies that will provide meaningful relief for all Californians."Gas prices are displayed at a Mobil gas station in Los Angeles on June 22, 2026.
(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)STEVE HILTON: GAVIN NEWSOM'S $9 GAS NIGHTMARE LOOMS OVER THE GOLDEN STATEOf the average $5.58 price per gallon cited by the lawmakers, about $4.43 reflects the cost of gasoline, with the rest going toward taxes and fees.California GOP Reps.James Gallagher, Tom McClintock, Vince Fong, Jay Obernolte, Young Kim, Ken Calvert, Darrell Issa, and Kevin Kiley, I-Calif., also signed the letter. Valadao has repeatedly urged Newsom to suspend California's gasoline excise tax increases in recent years, which are indexed to inflation and rise annually.The policy dates back to a 2017 California transportation law that raised the state's fuel taxes to help fund road, highway and transit projects.
Voters rejected a 2018 ballot measure to repeal the law, allowing the...